3 OF THE HIGHEST-RATED APPLE WATCH ULTRA 2 BANDS YOU CAN BUY ONLINE
The Apple Watch has been the reigning champion of smartwatch brands for the longest time. Despite receiving small changes every year, the Apple Watch is the go-to option for fitness enthusiasts and those who want to keep a tab on their daily essentials. While the standard Apple Watch delivered on this front, the Cupertino giant felt the need to cater to adventurous folks and introduced the Apple Watch Ultra in 2022. In 2023, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 was announced with minor upgrades and the same design. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a rugged exterior with a titanium chassis, giving it a bold look. Owing to this, if you switched from a standard Apple Watch, your existing bands may not suit the look of the new watch. This is why we've come up with a list of the best Apple Watch Ultra 2 bands you can buy to change the look of your watch.
AM Band rugged sports band
By default, Apple lets you choose from three separate band options on the Apple Watch Ultra 2. If you went with the trail loop made of fabric, you may miss the silicone sports band in certain scenarios. For instance, some users may prefer working out with a silicone or TPU band since they fare better in the long run, especially when subjected to sweat. Unlike fabric bands, they're also a better option for swimming or other water sports since they dry up quickly. If you are of the same opinion, consider getting the amBand rugged sports band for your Apple Watch Ultra 2. We specifically prefer this band due to its metallic connectors that are color-matched to the Apple Watch Ultra 2's chassis. This makes it seem like it's a first-party band that integrates seamlessly with the watch. The rest of the strap is made using TPU and has a rugged design and texture. This is one of the rare sports bands that not only looks appealing enough to be worn daily but is also comfortable. Along with the natural titanium colorway, amBand also has the same strap available in a matte black variant to match the latest edition of the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Users love this band primarily due to its lightweight nature and durability. You can also wear this band while diving since it's water-resistant and dries up quickly with a couple of dabs using a towel.
Suitisbest leather band for Apple Watch Ultra 2
This new trend of matching the band's connector to that of the Apple Watch's chassis is catching up quickly, and we're not complaining. Just like the amBand strap mentioned above, the Suitisest leather band also has metallic connectors that integrate seamlessly with the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Attached to those connectors is a premium leather band that is hand-stitched. It looks classy, and is definitely a look when worn on the wrist with a matching outfit. Thanks to how the band is designed, it can be worn by both men and women. Moreover, it's not too thick so it can suit most wrist sizes. The full-grown leather patinas over time give the band a rustic look. If you've ever used a lather case or belt, you'll know exactly what we're talking about. While users mention how the band is thick and durable, we wouldn't recommend taking it anywhere close to water or moist surfaces. So, working out with the Suitisbest band or going swimming in it is an absolute no-no. It's best to pair it with a suit or a polo T-shirt when you're going golfing. A leather band of this quality is also priced reasonably well, so you can pick up a few in different colors if you like the band's look on your wrist.
HUMANE IS KILLING ITS DISASTROUS AI PIN: HERE'S WHO GETS THEIR MONEY BACK
Humane, the buzzy startup from former Apple executives that made a wearable AI gadget, is shutting down. At noon Pacific time on Feb. 28, all Humane AI Pins sold will stop connecting to servers and cease to work. HP has agreed to take over the company's assets in a deal valued at roughly $116 million, while the AI Pin dreams will be abandoned. There is no word why the product has been canceled, and what exactly HP intends to do with the acquisition. "We are winding down the Ai pin as we are moving onto new endeavors," Humane said in a customer note, without going into details. However, the writing has been on the wall since the beginning, in April 2024. Despite taking a wearable route with a local AI assistant and a holographic display tied to gesture-based control, the AI Pin failed to leave a lasting impression. Not that the idea was bad, but the execution was panned widely. The absence of integration with core services an average person has to regularly visit was the fundamental problem. Performance inconsistencies, lack of adequate app support, a charging-related recall, poor battery life, and sluggish response were other major woes. The AI Pin probably always had a very small chance to flourish as a new product category of its own, let alone replace smartphones. Plus, an initial price tag of $699 — dropped in October to $499 — and an additional $24-per-month subscription didn't do it any favors.
Refunds for just the most recent customers
Humane has put a refund policy in place for the AI Pin as well as the charging case, but the terms will leave early adopters fuming. The company says the only units eligible for a refund are within a 90-day window for return, calculated from the day they were shipped. In other words, only owners of devices with a shipment date of Nov. 15, 2024 or later will get back their money. There are no trade-in or buy-back programs, either. So if you aren't in the refund pool, you'll be left with a fancy gadget that will show you battery levels, but won't link up with a data center or offer any of its fancy AI or talkback features. Customers who placed an order, but haven't started the onboarding process, are also eligible for a full refund. But refunds will need to be claimed before Feb. 27, just before Humane's server shutdown and data deletion. As for the charging case, which ended up on a recall shelf over heating hazards, refunds will be issued to customers who opted to get a replacement unit and were still waiting to receive it. Subscriptions will be terminated on the server shutdown date. All active subscriptions paid for in advance, and extending beyond Feb. 28, will be refunded on a prorated basis. As for the pins themselves, Humane has a suggestion: "We encourage you to recycle your Ai Pin through an e-waste recycling program."
5 OURA RING ALTERNATIVES YOU CAN BUY RIGHT NOW
Health monitoring technology has improved so much in recent years that it's now possible to keep track of sleeping patterns, body temperature, and other health parameters with more compact wearable devices. While fitness trackers that help people meet their body weight goals and smartwatches with useful features remain popular, a new wave of sleek, sophisticated options has entered the moderately competitive wearables market — smart rings. Smart rings offer a more discreet and efficient way of monitoring the different parameters of physical well-being. Unlike traditional wristbands or bulky fitness trackers, these compact devices fit comfortably on the finger, delivering robust health-tracking capabilities without adding noticeable weight or bulk. Leading the charge in this space is the Oura Ring, which debuted in 2015. The latest iteration, the Oura Ring 4, is capable of monitoring a wide range of health metrics, including heart-rate variability (HRV), blood oxygen levels, body temperature, and sleep duration. It also delivers three daily scores for sleep, activity, and readiness, helping users better understand their overall health.
Evie Ring
The Evie Ring is a more affordable option that's designed for people who menstruate. Priced at $269 without additional subscription fees, this wearable accessory offers health data tracking features that are focused on menstrual cycle monitoring. Users can better understand their bodies and emotions during their periods since the Evie Ring tracks activity, sleep, and mood. Additionally, it also measures vital stats, like heart rate, respiration rate, and oxygen saturation. One standout feature of the Evie Ring is symptom logging. Through this, users can keep track of their menstrual symptoms, energy levels, and more. They can even log information about stress, illness, injury, and alcohol consumption during their menstruation. What this does is give wearers a better idea of how their mood and physical well-being fluctuate throughout their cycle. Another notable feature is its open design, which allows the device to adapt to changes in body size. Unfortunately, the Evie Ring is pretty limited compared to the Oura Ring, which provides a more detailed look at the wearer's overall health. Its only selling point is its menstrual cycle monitoring package. Its battery life is shorter, at just four days, compared to other smart rings. For reference, the Oura Ring 4 can last up to eight days on a single charge.
Circular Ring Slim
The Circular Ring Slim is an experimental smart ring that is also a more affordable alternative to the Oura Ring. The device costs between $217 and $294, and users don't need to spend more for a subscription since all the retrieved data is presented and stored via its partner app, also called Circular. The finger wearable comes with an array of features like its AI assistant Kira+, vibration-based alerts, alarms, and mindfulness reminders. As such, one could say it offers a more smartwatch-like experience without a display. However, the product feels like it needs improvement, as it suffers occasional data syncing issues and a shorter battery life than most of its competitors. Circular states that the ring will last up to two and a half days in performance mode. Switching to Eco mode will extend its battery life to eight days, but it still falls short of the week-long battery life offered by the Oura Ring. Due to its shortcomings, the Circular Ring Slim is considered the perfect device for first-time adopters eager to explore the smart ring experience.
Amazfit Helio Ring
Amazfit already has a good track record for having quality, but budget-friendly, smartwatches and fitness trackers. In May 2024, the company joined the smart ring segment by releasing the Amazfit Helio Ring, which boasts the same quality and affordability. Our Amazfit Helio Smart Ring Review highlighted how this low-cost health tracker keeps things simple by monitoring and tracking just about every health metric there is. We also pointed out how it is less heavy or bulky than the other options available on the market. Amazfit's smart ring retails for only $199.99, so it is significantly cheaper than the Oura Ring. Even better is the fact that it does not require a subscription to access all the ring's collected data, so owners won't have to deal with monthly payments after purchasing one. In terms of battery life, Amazfit says it can last up to four days on a single charge. In our review, we found that it can go for two to three days of uninterrupted use. By syncing the Helio Ring with the Zepp app, which is available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, users can view all detailed insights into their sleep, heart rate, and activity records. It is worth noting, however, that this alternative does not automatically recognize workout routines. Users have to manually start them via the app. And, even with the app, the workout options supported for tracking are limited to basic routines, such as walking, running, cycling, and treadmill.
Ultrahuman Ring Air
Another alternative to the Oura Ring is the Ultrahuman Ring Air, which is lighter at 2.4 to 3.6 grams, compared to the 3.3 to 5.2 grams weight of the latest Oura smart ring iteration. It's a bit expensive at $349, but it does not require a subscription to access data, so it is still cheaper than the Oura Ring overall. Battery-wise, however, the Oura Ring lasts longer than the Ultrahuman ring's promised four to six days. The Ultrahuman Ring Air is equipped with numerous sensors for monitoring heart rate, heart rhythm, skin temperature, activity, exercise, sleep, and more. It also gives recommendations for when is the best time to consume caffeine. For people who menstruate, the Ultrahuman Ring Air keeps track of the menstrual cycle and ovulation and even provides an estimate of fertile days using data from certain biomarkers. Moreover, it is also a good companion for pregnant wearers since it monitors all physical changes throughout pregnancy. The Ultrahuman companion app, which is compatible with both Android and iOS devices, presents data in an easy-to-digest summary, making it a good choice for users who prefer quick insights over granular data. The app also calculates scores to help users improve areas of their health and lifestyle faster and promote dynamic recovery. Compared to the other entries on this list, the Ultrahuman Ring Air has the most color options available. Would-be owners can choose from five colors — gold, matte gray, black, silver, and titanium.
Samsung Galaxy Ring
